Tri State
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Vaulters soar “Above the Bar” at HCC
Photos Video
By Kevin Spradlin
TriStateRunnur.com
HAGERSTOWN, Md. – While many local area runners took the weekend off or focused on postseason racing opportunities, nearly two dozen of the area’s best prep pole vaulters wrapped up the “Above the Bar” Pole Vault Clinic on Saturday at Hagerstown Community College in preparation of the upcoming indoor track and field season.
Photos Video
By Kevin Spradlin
TriStateRunnur.com
HAGERSTOWN, Md. – While many local area runners took the weekend off or focused on postseason racing opportunities, nearly two dozen of the area’s best prep pole vaulters wrapped up the “Above the Bar” Pole Vault Clinic on Saturday at Hagerstown Community College in preparation of the upcoming indoor track and field season.
Twenty-two high-schoolers and two collegiate vaulters participated in the invitation-only clinic, which began in September and lasted half the mornings on Oct. 26, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 and Nov. 30.
Athletes received a steady diet of practical pole vaulting advice, speedwork, core training and, laying down on the darkened lobby floor of the Athletic, Recreation and Community Center, coaching by Robert T. “Bo” Myers on how to visualize success in a calm, controlled manner.
Myers said while the vaulting drills – and the resulting one-on-one analysis from coaches John Grim, Don Boyer, Becky Walters and Aaron Kelly – were important, he considered it crucial the athletes know the fundamentals
“They can’t even touch a pole” during the clinic until then, Myers said.
The basics were tackled on from the first day of camp in September. On day three in early November, Myers introduced the concept of visualization. By using controlled breathing techniques, the student-athletes learned to focus on nothing but clearing the next height and setting a new personal best.
“We have the bar set higher than it’s been set before,” Myers whispered in a “mental rehearsal,” a step-by-step manual to success.
From the outset, Myers insisted the athletes expect greatness from themselves. For example, if they currently vault 12-feet, 6-inches, “then you’re a 13-foot vaulter,” Myers said quietly as four campers soaked in every word.
“You’ve just vaulted higher than you’ve ever vaulted before,” Myers told them during the exercise. “Feel the elation.”
Officials said camps like the “Above the Bar” Pole Vault Clinic are sorely needed as inexperienced teachers and volunteers are thrown into coaching positions. The new coaches are then charged with teaching and developing young talent in very specialized events – which is, at best, a difficult task.
“There’s a need,” Myers said, discussing a lack of new coaching talent in general at the high school level. “There’s a calling.”
Email Kevin Spradlin at run@mountainMDmarathon.org.
The basics were tackled on from the first day of camp in September. On day three in early November, Myers introduced the concept of visualization. By using controlled breathing techniques, the student-athletes learned to focus on nothing but clearing the next height and setting a new personal best.
“We have the bar set higher than it’s been set before,” Myers whispered in a “mental rehearsal,” a step-by-step manual to success.
From the outset, Myers insisted the athletes expect greatness from themselves. For example, if they currently vault 12-feet, 6-inches, “then you’re a 13-foot vaulter,” Myers said quietly as four campers soaked in every word.
“You’ve just vaulted higher than you’ve ever vaulted before,” Myers told them during the exercise. “Feel the elation.”
Officials said camps like the “Above the Bar” Pole Vault Clinic are sorely needed as inexperienced teachers and volunteers are thrown into coaching positions. The new coaches are then charged with teaching and developing young talent in very specialized events – which is, at best, a difficult task.
“There’s a need,” Myers said, discussing a lack of new coaching talent in general at the high school level. “There’s a calling.”
Email Kevin Spradlin at run@mountainMDmarathon.org.
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11400 Robinwood Dr
Hagerstown, MD 21742
(301) 790-2800
Hagerstown, MD 21742
(301) 790-2800
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